JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – As e-bikes and e-scooters surge in popularity, AAA – The Auto Club Group is launching its new “E-Ride Ready” campaign to help parents better understand the risks associated with these fast-moving devices and take steps to prevent serious injuries.
“E-rides have spread so quickly that laws, infrastructure, and safety awareness haven’t kept pace,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman for AAA – The Auto Club Group. “That leaves many parents trying to figure out what’s safe, what’s allowed, and what rules to set. AAA’s E-Ride Ready campaign helps close that gap.”
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At the center of the campaign is a new E-Ride Safety Guide — a free resource that helps families understand how e-bikes and e-scooters operate, choose helmets designed for the speed and type of device, identify where riders can safely and legally ride, and set clear safety expectations before a child’s first ride.
E-ride injuries on the rise
The campaign comes amid growing nationwide concern about injuries involving young riders. An April 2026 U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission report found emergency department visits tied to micromobility products rose from an estimated 37,300 in 2017 to 149,100 in 2024 — roughly a fourfold increase. Over that eight-year period, the CPSC estimated 698,500 total emergency department visits and recorded at least 533 deaths, with annual fatalities climbing from five in 2017 to 135 in 2024.
Medical experts say e-ride crashes commonly involve vehicles, pedestrians and fixed objects such as curbs and mailboxes.
“As e-rides become more common, younger riders are often sharing the road with traffic before they fully understand how to navigate it safely,” said Jenkins. “When you combine higher speeds with limited experience, the risk of a serious crash increases quickly. That’s why it’s critical for parents to stay involved and set clear expectations before a child rides.”
Helmets save lives
Medical experts say helmets significantly reduce the risk of serious head injuries, yet many young riders go without one — or use helmets not designed for higher-speed devices.
“Helmets can make all the difference in a crash,” said Jenkins. “Parents should make sure riders wear a properly fitted helmet on every ride and ensure it matches the speed and capabilities of the device. AAA’s new free E-Ride Safety Guide helps families understand the different standards and when they apply.”
E-ride laws vary by location
Confusion about e-bike and e-scooter laws can create additional risk for families. Rules governing rider age, helmet requirements and where devices can operate often vary widely by state and local community.
Federal law generally defines a low-speed e-bike as a two- or three-wheeled vehicle with fully operable pedals, a motor of 750 watts or less, and a top assisted speed of 20 to 28 mph, depending on classification. Some higher-speed devices more commonly used by teens may fall outside traditional e-bike classifications altogether and require a driver’s license and registration.
In Florida, there is no statewide minimum age for e-bike riders, and riders under 16 must wear helmets. E-bikes may be ridden anywhere bicycles are allowed, and sidewalk riding is generally permitted unless restricted locally. Pending legislation would require e-riders to slow to 10 mph when approaching a pedestrian, yield and give an audible signal before passing.
AAA encourages families to review their state and local laws before allowing children or teens to ride. The E-Ride Safety Guide also highlights safe riding locations and encourages families to prioritize environments with less traffic and fewer hazards.
What AAA recommends
AAA’s E-Ride Ready campaign encourages families to know the speed and capabilities of the device, require properly fitted helmets rated for the e-ride’s top speed, understand where e-rides can legally and safely operate, and practice safe riding habits around traffic and pedestrians.
The free E-Ride Safety Guide includes an overview of e-bike and e-scooter types and performance differences, helmet guidance and safety checklists, tips for riding around traffic and pedestrians, and safety conversation starters for parents and young riders — as well as tips for drivers sharing the road.
AAA safety tips for e-riders include:
- Ride in appropriate areas based on local rules
- Find safe riding locations with minimal interaction with vehicle and foot traffic
- Wear a helmet that matches the device’s speed and fits properly
- Enhance visibility with lights and reflective gear
- Obey traffic signals and signs
- Slow down near intersections and driveways
- Stay alert to vehicles, pedestrians and road conditions
For drivers, AAA recommends:
- Avoid distractions and always focus on the road
- Watch for e-riders, who are smaller and faster than they appear
- Look twice in all directions when approaching intersections, before turning or backing out
- Slow down in areas where children may ride
- Give riders extra space when passing
“E-bikes and e-scooters can be a fun and convenient way to get around, but they require more awareness and responsibility than many families expect,” said Jenkins. “When parents understand the risks and set clear expectations, they can help prevent crashes before they happen.”
Families can find AAA’s free E-Ride Safety Guide at AAA.com/ERideReady.